31900 Utica Road
Fraser, MI 48026
Ph: 586.541.0033
Fx: 586.541.0034
www.careofmacomb.com
Why talk to young children about drugs?
Teach young children skills that will help them develop
healthy attitudes ultimately effecting choices they will
make later in their lives
Children are being exposed to messages of drugs, alcohol
and violence everyday i.e.TV,Video games, Movies etc.
Peer Pressure
Peer pressure begins at a young age
Teach your children to value individuality (they are special
and unique)
Explore the meaning of friendship
Teach children to say “No” when necessary
Positive peer pressure: Identify positive situations how they
may influence someone else to “do the right thing”
Teachable moments
By helping children learn healthy behaviors, you will make it
easier for them to say “Yes” to healthy behaviors and “No”
to harmful behaviors
Talk to your children when they see drinking or other drugs
on TV
When someone is smoking in a restaurant
Alcohol is served at a party or family gathering
Children are like sponges; ready to soak up everything we as
adults are doing and saying
\\lsps.org\employees\teachers\pschroll\My Documents\Violet Elem SAS\CARE Forms and stuff\Paper
Pals\Paper People- Parent Info Packet.doc
31900 Utica Road
Fraser, MI 48026
Ph: 586.541.0033
Fx: 586.541.0034
www.careofmacomb.com
PARENT’S GUIDE TO PAPER PEOPLE LESSON #1
“Paper People Teach that We’re Important!”
Today’s Message: We are all special and important.
Things we did:
Talked about how special we are and how important our body and all its
parts are.
Made special Paper People puppets.
Looked at ourselves in a mirror and promised to take care of ourselves!
Suggestions for reinforcing concepts at home:
1. Tell your child you are aware they started a program at school called Paper
People. Ask him/her to tell you about it. “What’s a Paper Person? Did you
make one of your own? Where is it?”
2. Ask your child why he/she needs to take care of him/herself. (There’s no one
else in the world just like him/her!) Discuss the special qualities of each family
member and how you can treat each other with respect.
3. Ask your child the promise he/she made as they looked in a mirror during the
Paper People lesson. Encourage family members to say, “I’ll take care of you,”
when they see themselves in a mirror.
Related books:
Here Are My Hands by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault (Henry Holt and
Company)
Two Eyes, A Nose, and A Mouth by Roberta Grobel Intrater (Scholastic)
We’re Different, We’re the Same (featuring the Sesame Street Muppets) by Bobbi
Jane Kates (Random House)
A Different Tune by Bruce Witty (School Zone Publishing)
We Are All Alike...We Are All Different by the Cheltenham Elementary School
Kindergartners (Scholastic)
All About You by Catherine and Laurence Anholt (Scholastic)
Just Because I am A Child’s Book of Affirmation Lauren Murphy Payne, M.S.W.
\\lsps.org\employees\teachers\pschroll\My Documents\Violet Elem SAS\CARE Forms and stuff\Paper
Pals\Paper People- Parent Info Packet.doc
31900 Utica Road
Fraser, MI 48026
Ph: 586.541.0033
Fx: 586.541.0034
www.careofmacomb.com
PARENT’S GUIDE TO PAPER PEOPLE LESSON #2
“Paper People Take Care of Themselves”
Today’s Message: To grow and stay healthy, we must take care of
ourselves and others.
Things we did:
Talked about how food, exercise, rest, etc. has helped our bodies grow since
we were babies and will help us become healthy adults.
Talked about rules for taking medicine: Only take it from an adult who cares
about us and will make sure we have just what we need.
Learned a safety rule: If we don’t know what something is, we don’t touch
it, we don’t taste it, we don’t smell it!
Suggestions for reinforcing concepts at home:
1. Look at your child’s baby pictures together and talk about how he/she has
grown and is able to do things for himself that you used to do for him.
2. Be alert for opportunities to point out to your child how he/she is helping you or
someone else in the family. Express your appreciation.
3. When you give medicine, even vitamins, to your child, point out the instructions
and safety cap.
4. Repeat the “Don’t touch it, don’t taste it, don’t smell it” safety rule whenever
appropriate. Encourage your child to ask if an item is safe for them.
Related books:
I’m Growing! by Aliki (Troll Associates)
When I Was Little by Jamie Lee Curtis (Scholastic)
The Berenstain Bears Are A Family by Stan and Jan Berenstain (Random House)
What Is A Family by Gretchen Super (Troll Associates)
Celebrating Families by Rosmarie Hausherr (Scholastic)
Loving by Ann Morris (Scholastic)
\\lsps.org\employees\teachers\pschroll\My Documents\Violet Elem SAS\CARE Forms and stuff\Paper
Pals\Paper People- Parent Info Packet.doc
31900 Utica Road
Fraser, MI 48026
Ph: 586.541.0033
Fx: 586.541.0034
www.careofmacomb.com
PARENT’S GUIDE TO PAPER PEOPLE LESSON #3
“Paper People Know About What’s Healthy”
Today’s Message: Some things help our bodies grow and work better; some
things hurt our bodies.
Things we did:
Played Knock, Knock, May I Come In? (A game about being careful about what
we let into our bodies.)
Looked for warning signs such as poison symbols, safety caps, and labels we don’t
understand.
Learned that some commercials advertise things that are not healthy for children’s
bodies.
Learned we can say “No, thank you” or ask for help if someone offers us a drink of
alcohol.
Suggestions for reinforcing concepts at home:
1. Ask your child about what he/she does to help keep his/her body healthy.
2. If a commercial (such as for beer) comes on while you are watching television with your
child, ask, “Is that a healthy product for a young person to use?” “What is the legal
drinking age?” After “21” alcohol becomes an “adult choice”. Remind your child that
some products (such as candy or junk food) may only be harmful if used in excess.
3. If your child or someone in your family has an allergy, this might be a good time to
reinforce the fact that no matter how inviting the television may make the item look, it
will make the allergic person ill. (This correlation will make it easier to understand the
relationship of alcohol to an alcoholic when they get older.) Explain that all our bodies
are different, and we have to know that what is OK for someone else, may not be OK
for us.
4. It’s not too early to let your child know your values and expectations regarding drinking
alcohol. If either parent drinks alcohol at all, you might take this opportunity to talk to
your child about the limits you set for yourself (amount, circumstances) to reassure
them that you know it can be risky, you are being careful, and you would get help if you
needed it.
Related books:
The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Junk Food by Stan and Jan Berenstain
\\lsps.org\employees\teachers\pschroll\My Documents\Violet Elem SAS\CARE Forms and stuff\Paper
Pals\Paper People- Parent Info Packet.doc
31900 Utica Road
Fraser, MI 48026
Ph: 586.541.0033
Fx: 586.541.0034
www.careofmacomb.com
PARENT’S GUIDE TO PAPER PEOPLE LESSON #4
“Talk to Friends, How About You?”
Today’s Message: Our feelings help us know what we need and want. We
can use our words to tell people about them.
Things we did:
Identified “safe” people in our lives who will help us when we need it.
Used words to name our feelings.
Learned to use “I” messages.
Suggestions for reinforcing concepts at home:
1. Help your child identify at least two people they could talk to about problems or worries.
2. Help your child learn the names of the feelings you see them express with their facial
expressions, body language, voice tone, etc. by using reflective listening: “You look
angry.” “You sound frustrated.” “You’re so excited!” A child may feel like he/she can
have more control over a feeling that can be named.
3. Ask your child about the “Paper Pups.” Ask if he/she can show his feelings like the
“Paper Pups” did. Play a game by naming a feeling and have your child show you how
he looks when he/she feels that way. Reverse the procedure and have your child act
out a feeling and then guess what it is.
4. Practice making “feeling faces” and help them put these feelings into words. Use Imessages to express your feelings: I feel ___ when
_ because.
Related books:
What’s the Matter, Little Frog? by Lucille Hammond (Random House)
My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss (Knopf)
I Like It When… by Mary Murphy (Harcourt)
Glad Monster, Sad Monster—A Book About Feelings by Ed Emberly & Anne Miranda
What Is a Feeling? David W. Krueger, M.D.
Something Happened and I'm Scared to Tell by Patricia Kehoe (Parenting Press)
What Will Mommy Do When I’m at School? by Delores Johnson (S & F Children’s Books)
Feelings by Joanne Murphy (Firefly Books)
All My Feelings at Preschool: Nathan’s Day by Susan Conlin and Susan Friedman
Alexander and the Terible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Judith Viorst
Double-Dip Feelings Barbara Cain
\\lsps.org\employees\teachers\pschroll\My Documents\Violet Elem SAS\CARE Forms and stuff\Paper
Pals\Paper People- Parent Info Packet.doc
31900 Utica Road
Fraser, MI 48026
Ph: 586.541.0033
Fx: 586.541.0034
www.careofmacomb.com
PARENT’S GUIDE TO PAPER PEOPLE LESSON #5
“What to Do?”
Today’s Message:
We can let people know about the feelings inside us in a safe
and healthy way.
Things we did:
Practiced ways to let out our anger without hurting ourselves or anyone else. We
learned ways to manage our feelings and problem-solve.
Suggestions for reinforcing concepts at home:
Children often feel helpless or stuck when they have problems. The Problemsolving steps show them that there is something they can do to solve problems.
Ask Yourself
1. “How do I feel?”
2. “What is the problem?”
3. “What can I do?
Children will also learn other ways to manage strong feelings. We learned calming
down strategies and anger management skills:
1. Check in; Place your hand on your tummy
2. Say “calm down”
3. Take deep Breaths
4. Count 1…2…3…4…
Ask your child to show you a way to safely let out his anger. Share methods you have
found to be effective for you. Help him/her find one or more techniques that work for
him/her and are acceptable for your household.
Calm down technique… Count to 10
Acted like a rag doll.
Tighten muscles starting with toes up to head,
relax
Rest, take a time-out; think about your choices
Exercise (run, jump rope, bike, dance, sing,
Use your words/Ask for help if you need it.
Listen to Music, sing
Color a picture about what is angering you
Eat a healthy snack
Scrunch up scrap paper: throw out the feeling
Related books:
I’m So Mad! by Mercer Mayer (Golden Books)/I’m Mad At You by Louise Gikow
I Was So Mad by Norma Simon (Golden Books)
Mad Me by Jim & Joan Boulden (Boulden Publishing)
Mean Soup by Betsey Everitt (Harcourt Brace)
When I Feel Angry Cornelia Maude Spelman
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Pals\Paper People- Parent Info Packet.doc
31900 Utica Road
Fraser, MI 48026
Ph: 586.541.0033
Fx: 586.541.0034
www.careofmacomb.com
PARENT’S GUIDE TO PAPER PEOPLE LESSON #6
“Think Things Through”
Today’s Message:
No matter how we feel, or what anyone asks us to do, we can
choose (stop and think) to act in ways that won’t hurt ourselves
or anyone else.
Things we did:
Practiced using Stop & Think signs.
Learned a safety rule for secrets: Secrets that hurt, are secrets to tell.
Children learned how to tell the difference between a “good” secret (surprise) and a
“bad” secret (a secret that makes us feel sad, scared, worried, or hurts us.)
Identified “safe people” to talk to about a secret that concerns them.
Suggestions for reinforcing concepts at home:
1. Ask your child about his Stop & Think sign. Ask him/her to share with you what it
means (to stop a minute before you act, and think about what will happen as a
consequence of your actions). You may want to choose a prominent place to display
it and have it available for use by anyone in the family whenever someone needs to
be reminded to slow down and think things through. Before doing this, consider
whether you’re willing to let your child use this on you!
2. Guide your child as needed through Stop & Think moments. Avoid giving advice and
encourage him/her to think things through by asking lots of questions: What might
happen if you do that? What else could you do? Would you like to know what some
other kids have done in this situation?
3. Play the “What if...” game. (It’s easier to stop and think before we’re in a stressful
situation.) What if you start to feel jealous when your brother opens his birthday
presents? What if you start to get bored before we’re finished shopping for
groceries? (You can do this with yourself: What will I do if he/she starts to whine?
...hits her brother? ...is rude to me?) What if someone hurts me and warns me not to
tell?
Related books:
Kids and Secrets by Nancy Diehl and Lynda Baker (Wayne County Prosecutor's Office)
Please Tell! by Jessie (Hazelden)
The Trouble With Secrets by Karen Johnsen (Parenting Press)
Sometimes It’s OK to Tell Secrets by Amy Bahr (Grosset & Dunlap)
From Fear to Scared? To Courage Barron’s
\\lsps.org\employees\teachers\pschroll\My Documents\Violet Elem SAS\CARE Forms and stuff\Paper
Pals\Paper People- Parent Info Packet.doc
31900 Utica Road
Fraser, MI 48026
Ph: 586.541.0033
Fx: 586.541.0034
www.careofmacomb.com
PARENT’S GUIDE TO PAPER PEOPLE LESSON #7
“And We Ask for Help Sometimes”
Today’s Message: We need to ask for help sometimes. There are safe
people, places, and ways to ask for help.
Things we did:
Practiced asking for help politely and clearly (speak calmly, clearly, make
eye contact).
Discussed people we can ask for help: our “safe” people, store clerks,
police, doctors, firefighters, etc.
Children learned about 911 and what an emergency is.
Children learned that strangers could also be on the internet (“in their
computer”)
Suggestions for reinforcing concepts at home:
1. Discuss with your child those people in your neighborhood and family that you
consider appropriate helpers if you were not available.
2. Play the “What if...” game again: What if I fell down and got hurt badly? ...you
got separated from me at the store? ...your stomach started hurting real bad at
school?
3. Let your child know that you expect him/her to need help sometimes and that it
is a sign of maturity to know when and who to ask. Children sometimes have
the misconception that asking for help is acting “baby-like,” and that they should
be “grown-up” and take care of themselves. Let them know how you still ask for
help sometimes.
4. Safely explore the internet with your child.
Related books and websites:
Just Lost! by Gina and Mercer Mayer (Golden Books)
Safety: People Who Keep Us Safe (Grolier Publishing)
Playing It Safe by Barb Hall (Firefly Books)
What Would You Do? by Linda Schwartz (Learning Works)www.i-safe.org
\\lsps.org\employees\teachers\pschroll\My Documents\Violet Elem SAS\CARE Forms and stuff\Paper
Pals\Paper People- Parent Info Packet.doc
31900 Utica Road
Fraser, MI 48026
Ph: 586.541.0033
Fx: 586.541.0034
www.careofmacomb.com
PARENT’S GUIDE TO PAPER PEOPLE LESSON #8
“Paper People Teach that We’re Important”
Today’s Message:
We will take care of ourselves because we are valuable and
special.
Things we did:
Reviewed previous lessons.
Talked about what we want to do when we grow up and why we’ll want our bodies
and brains to be healthy.
Made a promise to take care of ourselves.
Received our Paper People puppet to keep to remind us of our lessons.
Suggestions for reinforcing concepts at home:
1. Your child received his/her Paper People puppet today. Ask your child to introduce you
and tell you about what they have learned together. Help your child find a special place
to keep the puppet so it can be a reminder to him/her of all the lessons about being
safe and healthy.
2. Be alert for moments in the days (years!) to come for opportunities to repeat lessons of
safety and health with your child. Discussing What if…? Scenarios with your child can
be educational for them and reassure you about their knowledge and abilities.
3. Emphasize how beneficial a healthy mind and body is for all your child’s dreams.
Support them in their efforts to take care of themselves.
4. Your example is your child’s most influential teacher. Take good care of yourself and
remember the closing words of the Paper People song: …we ask for help sometimes!
Related books:
Just Because I Am, A Book of Affirmation
I Like Me! by Nancy Carlson (Puffin Books)
Liking Myself by Pat Palmer (Impact Publishers)
All About Me by Catherine Bruzzone & Lone Morton (Ideals)
The Cousins by Judith Caseley (Greenwillow Books)
I Am Special by Linda Schwartz (Learning Works)
Free the Horses by Michael Popkin (Active Parenting)
All I Am by Eileen Roe (Scholastic)
When I Get Bigger by Mercer Mayer (Golden Books)
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Pals\Paper People- Parent Info Packet.doc